Senior Embedded Engineer (AI IP)

Tenstorrent; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tenstorrent is seeking a Software Driver Developer in Toronto, ON. The role involves creating reference drivers for AI-IP and supporting customers with driver integration. Ideal candidates have deep systems engineering experience, proficiency in C/C++, and an understanding of Linux kernel concepts.

The position offers a hybrid work environment with opportunities for various experience levels. A competitive compensation package and benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Deep systems engineer with 7+ years experience in drivers or low-level systems programming.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ with solid understanding of hardware-software interfaces.
• Familiar with Linux kernel concepts and how kernel and user-space components interact.
• Experience working with external customers or partners to define and support driver or hardware interfaces.
• Exposure to safety-critical systems, automotive platforms, or Functional Safety standards such as ISO 26262 is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and evolve the driver layer that provides high-performance APIs for Tenstorrent devices.
• Define driver interfaces and specifications that enable the broader software stack to run across internal and third-party hardware.
• Collaborate with kernel and hardware teams to ensure efficient cross-layer design and performance.
• Drive performance engineering efforts, including benchmarking, profiling, and optimization of APIs.
• Support external integrations by defining hardware-software boundaries and enabling reliable deployment in customer environments, including safety-critical use cases where applicable.

Job description

Tenstorrent is leading the industry on cutting‑edge AI technology, revolutionizing performance expectations, ease of use, and cost efficiency. With AI redefining the computing paradigm, solutions must evolve to unify innovations in software models, compilers, platforms, networking, and semiconductors. Our diverse team of technologists have developed a high performance RISC‑V CPU from scratch, and share a passion for AI and a deep desire to build the best AI platform possible. We value collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to solving hard problems. We are growing our team and looking for contributors of all seniorities.

We are seeking a Software Driver Developer to create reference drivers for our AI‑IP in a reference system. You will also support our AI‑IP customer optimizing our reference driver into our customer specific systems.

This role is hybrid, based out of Toronto, ON.

We welcome candidates at various experience levels for this role. During the interview process, candidates will be assessed for the appropriate level, and offers will align with that level, which may differ from the one in this posting.

Who You Are

• Deep systems engineer with 7+ years experience in drivers or low‑level systems programming.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ with solid understanding of hardware‑software interfaces.
• Familiar with Linux kernel concepts and how kernel and user‑space components interact.
• Experience working with external customers or partners to define and support driver or hardware interfaces.
• Exposure to safety‑critical systems, automotive platforms, or Functional Safety standards such as ISO 26262 is a strong plus.

What We Need

• Design and evolve the driver layer that provides high‑performance APIs for Tenstorrent devices.
• Define driver interfaces and specifications that enable the broader software stack to run across internal and third‑party hardware.
• Collaborate with kernel and hardware teams to ensure efficient cross‑layer design and performance.
• Drive performance engineering efforts, including benchmarking, profiling, and optimization of APIs.
• Support external integrations by defining hardware‑software boundaries and enabling reliable deployment in customer environments, including safety‑critical use cases where applicable.

What You Will Learn

• How user‑mode and kernel‑level drivers are designed for high‑performance AI hardware.
• How hardware‑software interfaces are defined to support scalable and portable systems.
• How performance is optimized across memory, compute, and communication layers.
• How third‑party hardware integrations are enabled through well‑defined driver and interface layers.
• How safety and reliability requirements influence modern driver architecture, including in automotive and mission‑critical systems.

Tenstorrent offers a highly competitive compensation package and benefits, and we are an equal opportunity employer.

This offer of employment is contingent upon the applicant being eligible to access U.S. export‑controlled technology. Due to U.S. export laws, including those codified in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the Company is required to ensure compliance with these laws when transferring technology to nationals of certain countries (such as EAR Country Groups D:1, E1, and E2). These requirements apply to persons located in the U.S. and all countries outside the U.S. As the position offered will have direct and/or indirect access to information, systems, or technologies subject to these laws, the offer may be contingent upon your citizenship/permanent residency status or ability to obtain prior license approval from the U.S. Commerce Department or applicable federal agency. If employment is not possible due to U.S. export laws, any offer of employment will be rescinded.